Page 43 of Wicked Heiress

I bobbed my head.

Sadly, it was the only thing anyone in my family had ever given me. My grandfather didn’t do birthdays or holidays. I remembered little about my life with my parents. The Colonel kept things simple and only gave me practical gifts we could take to our next duty station.

Bastian hooked one arm around me and bent down to match my height. “Unfortunately, we haven’t gotten to spend much time together. But we’ll change that after all of this is over, okay? You have my word.”

I smiled. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

“Good.” He gave me a pained smile, and I assumed he was trying to contain his grief over losing the woman he shared with his brothers. “But I need you to do something for me, Grace.”

“Sure, anything.”

“Hang onto that key a little while longer. And when the time is right, I’ll show you what it opens.” I stared at him for a moment too long, and he cocked an eyebrow at me. “Deal?”

My face hurt from smiling so hard. “Deal.” He gave my shoulders a reassuring squeeze. “Now, I need you to do one more thing for me. Go back to Fort Marshall with Cole.”

“Actually,” Rhys said with a crooked grin aimed at my cousin. “I can keep Grace company. Cole should go to the island.”

Drake nodded to confirm. “I agree. We need Cole’s aerospace knowledge. Rhys will stay with Grace.”

Cole frowned, and then his features softened as his blue eyes landed on me. “Go with Rhys. I’ll be home soon.”

I wanted to hug or kiss him goodbye, but I knew better than to make a scene, so I nodded and left with Rhys.

Chapter Twenty-Four

GRACE

After Luca’s outburst, I returned to Fort Marshall with Rhys, still tired from waking up in the middle of the night. I didn’t understand the danger The Knights faced until tonight. And if Alex could be taken from the Salvatore Estate, I wasn’t safe here, either.

Cole and Rhys would do everything in their power to protect me. I knew I could trust both of them with my life. But I was still afraid of my biological father finding me.

We hadn’t seen each other since I was nine. Yet, I could still recall the scar on his right thumb, the musky scent of his cologne, and his deep voice. He had a thick Russian accent that he concealed whenever we were in public. He said it was best if no one knew he was from Russia. Back then, I didn’t know why. I had no idea he was a spy turned into a criminal.

To me, he was Papa.

My dad.

Rhys tucked me into bed and got in beside me. He rolled onto his side and ran his long fingers down my arm. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, princess. Close your eyes.”

I grabbed his hand, needing to feel his warmth. “I wouldn’t mind if you held me until I fell asleep.”

“Yeah?” Rhys curled his arm around me. “Like this?”

“Exactly like this.” I leaned over and turned off the light. “Night, Rhys.”

He kissed my cheek. “Night, princess. Sweet dreams.”

* * *

Rhys tried to distract me with a heavy brunch that filled my belly like a lead weight. He even spent some of the time giving me kisses that made me crave him even more. But with Cole on a private island trying to rescue Alex, I couldn’t think straight.

Rhys sat on the couch and watched me like I was about to disappear. After about ten minutes of pacing, he grabbed my wrist. “Sit, princess. All of this worrying isn’t good for you.”

“What if Cole gets hurt?” I choked out. “Or worse, what if he dies trying to save her?”

“All Knights swear an oath to protect our queen.” He patted the cushion beside him. “Now, sit before you wear down the floorboards.”

“I need a distraction to take my mind off everything.”

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